Catalyst chamber



Filed April l Patented Sept. 4, 1945 George G. Oben-fell, Bartlesville,

to Phillips Petroleum Company,

of Delaware Okla., assignor a corporation Application April 1, 1943, Serial No. 481,503 1 claim. (c1. 232s5 This invention relates to apparatus wherein corrosive material such as aluminium chloride sludge is moved under conditions normally tending to effect corrosion or erosion of the apparatus. A preferred modication is a reaction chamber especially suitable for effecting hydrocarbon conversions such as isomerization or alkylation utilizing a mobile catalyst comprising aluminum chloride.

It has been found that aluminum chloride sludge, which may yor may not contain free aluminum chloride, is very corrosive and/or erosive to most metals and other materials of construction when in motion. Many reactions are now carried out in which such sludge is circulated or otherwise moved through the apparatus and the corrosion problem has proved to be very serious. Even in cases in which such motion is very slow, for example, a slow dripping of sludgeI into the bottom of a catalyst chamber, a severe erosion f may occur, causing premature failure of equipment.

It is an object of the, invention to provide apparatus suitable for effecting hydrocarbon conversions utilizing a mobile catalyst of active sludges containing aluminum chloride or other active halides.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a catalyst chamber Within a larger outer chamber, said inner catalyst chamber being replaceable when worn out.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a replaceable catalyst chamber within a larger chamber containing the hydrocarbon to be treated, the pressure in the larger outer chamber being greater than the pressure in the catalyst chamber, so that flow is always into the catalyst chamber and the catalyst never touches the outer chamber. If aslight leak should occur in the catalyst chamber, it need not be replaced immediately since the flow is always into the catalyst chamber.

Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the follow- A ing description considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing.

The iigure ,of the drawing shows diagrammatically in vertical cross section the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The chamber comprises an outer shell I of any suitable material, such as steel, having a ilange II around the upper edge thereof. A removable upper cover I2 completes the outer chamber' and is bolted to the outer shell I0 through the flange II and bolts I3 'with a suitable packing means between the top I2 and the-ange II. 'Supports I4, I5, IB and I1 are attached to the outer shell I0 and hold the catalyst chamber I8 spaced from the outer shell I0. The outer shell I0 has afeed line I9 entering thereinto. The iiuid ow enters the space 21 between the outer chamber I0 and the inner. chamber I8 and enters intothe catalyst chamber I8 through the opening 20 in the top of the inner chamber.

The catalyst enters the inner chamber I8 through the line 2l, which line passes through the outer shell I0. In the space between the outer shell I0 and the inner catalyst chamber I8, the line 2| has the pipe joint 22, which allows the inner catalyst chamber to be disconnected from the line 2|. The catalyst and cracked material leave the catalyst chamber I8 through the line 28 connecting into the bottom of the catalyst chamber I8. The line 28 has a pipe joint 23 which allows the line to be disconnected, so as to be able to remove the catalyst chamber I8 from the assembly when necessary. A suitable seal is provided at 24 between the` line 28 and the outer shell I0. The eiiiuent from the catalyst chamber is divided into two portions; one portion going to a separation treatment for removal of the hydrocarbon from the catalyst, and the other portion as recycle. through line 25 and pump 26 and is nally mixed in with the catalyst coming in through line 2l from where it passes into the catalyst chamber I8.

In operation, feed which may be any hydrocarbon it is desired to treat, enters through the line I9 into the space 21 between the outer shell I0 and the catalyst chamber I8. The feed is entered into this space under suiiicientpressure so that the pressure in the space 21 always exceeds the pressure in the catalyst chamber. The

feed enters the 4catalyst chamber through the opening 20. The catalyst enters the chamber I8 through the line 2I and is a, catalyst such as aluminum chloride which is very corrosive. The catalyst and feed meet in the catalyst chamber and the desired reaction takes place and the feed is converted to the product desired. The product and catalyst leave through the line 28 from where a portion of this eiiluent isreturned'to the ^catalyst chamber as recycle and the major portion of the eiiiuent goes to separation.

The inner catalytic chamber may be constructed of a metal resistant to the corrosive eiects of the catalyst but it is contemplated that the catalyst chamber will be made 'of a less expensive material, hence it will be subject to the corrosive action oi the catalyst. If the chamber I8 be- The recycle goes l comes pitted or holes develop therein, it is not serious, since the pressure in space 2l is higher than the pressure in chamber I8, hence the ow is always into the catalyst chamber I8 and never out of the chamber. Therefore, the catalyst never contacts the outer shell I0 and the outer shell is not subject to the same corrosive action as the inner chamber I8. allowed to remain in operation, even though pitted, until the whole structure begins to disintegrate. 'I'he feed flows from the space 21 into the catalyst chamber through any pits in thel side wall of the catalyst chamber I8. 'I'he feed may not be in contact with the catalyst for as long a period when the feed enters through pits or holes in the side wall I8 lbut this feature is not of sullicient seriousness toatect the operations.

When the chamber I8 becomes thoroughlyl disintegrated and in need of replacement, the cover I2 is removed from the top of the outer shell I0 by removing the bolts I3. The pipe joint 22 is uncoupled after the cover I2 is removed and the joints 23 and 24 are uncoupled. 'I'his allows the chamber I8 to be removed from the outer shell and replaced. With a new chamber I 8 in place on the supports I5 and I6 and spaced from the side walls of the outer shell I0 by the supports I4 and I1, the pipe joints 22 and 23 are assembled and the seal between the outer shell I0 and the pipe 28 is eilected at 24: The in place and the apparatus is again ready for operation.

'I'he present invention has the advantage of The chamber I8 is.

of the catalyst chamber cover I2 is put.

not having to immediately replace a catalyst chamber which has become pitted. It conserves metal in that it gets a longer use out of the metal employed. It will be apparent that changes in the details 'of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.,

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim is:

In apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising an outer chamber including a removable top wall, an inner chamber within the outer chamber, means wholly within the outer chamber for maintaining the inner chamber in predetermined spaced relation vto the outer chamber, an inlet conduit for transmitting fluid material from the exterior of the outer chamber directly into the upper portion of the inner chamber, a discharge conduit establishing communication between the lower portion of the inner chamber and the exterior of the outer chamber, fluid inlet means in the inner chamber, a conduit independent ot the aforesaid conduits for transmitting uid from the exterior of the outer chamber into the space between the chambers, uid so transmitted into the space being admitted into the inner chamber through said inlet means, and means including-a conduit land a pump for conveying tluid material from the discharge conduit to the inlet conduit.

GEORGE G. OBERFELL. 

